PipeWrench solves pressure and flow in networks of circular pipes using a finite element conductance model. The model assumes laminar, Newtonian, fully developed flow and neglects minor head losses and elevation effects. The source includes a MATLAB GUI, while the FluidNetwork, Junction, and Pipe classes can be used without it.
Download PipeWrench from MATLAB File Exchange
or clone this repository. Add the downloaded or cloned folder to your MATLAB
path, then run test_network to check the core solver in your environment.
The optional GUI starts with pipewrench_gui.
The automated tests run the core solver with MATLAB on GitHub Actions. Older MATLAB releases and Octave have not been revalidated, and the GUI is not covered by those tests.
net = FluidNetwork();
net.dynamic_viscosity = 1e-3; % Pa*s
net.add_junction('in', 0, 0, 'pressure', 1000); % coordinates in m, pressure in Pa
net.add_junction('out', 2, 0, 'pressure', 0);
net.add_pipe('pipe', 'in', 'out', 'diameter', 0.1); % diameter in m
net.solve();
flow = net.get('pipe', 'flow_rate'); % m^3/s
Pipe lengths are calculated from the two-dimensional junction coordinates. The Pipe.resistance property has a historical name: it stores hydraulic conductance (flow divided by pressure difference), not resistance. Supply positive, finite viscosity and diameters and distinct endpoint coordinates. Each connected component needs a fixed-pressure junction.
Run test_network from this folder for an analytical single-pipe check, equal-pipe series check, and a conservation check on a larger network. GitHub Actions runs the same script on pushes and pull requests.
The original source authored by Chris McComb is licensed under BSD 3-Clause; see LICENSE. The optional GUI bundles SplashScreen.m from a separate MathWorks File Exchange submission. Its different license and attribution are preserved in THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md. That component's terms limit its use to MathWorks products and services.
